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Explanation for:
Matthew
22
:
18
But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites?
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The primary quality of the One who responded was His ability to perceive the intentions of those who questioned Him, labeling them not as followers but as hypocrites. A hypocrite, therefore, is someone whose actions differ from their facade—acting in one way while feigning to be something entirely different."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What is He? \\"Why do you test Me, you pretenders?\\" Do you not notice how He now addresses them with increased severity? Their wickedness had matured and was openly displayed, prompting the Savior to delve deeper into their affliction, exposing their hidden motives and intentions for approaching Him before everyone—thus bewildering them and rendering them speechless from the very outset. He took this action to quell their fury, preventing them from inflicting further harm upon themselves through their schemes. Although they expressed great respect toward Him verbally, addressing Him as a teacher, affirming that He was righteous and impartial, He, being divine, was not misled by this pretense. Consequently, they must recognize from His words that His judgments were not based on assumptions but stemmed from an intimate understanding of their innermost thoughts."},{"author-name":"Augustine of Hippo","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88950a5c988a4fc06c7ae_Augustine%20of%20Hippo.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"Upon displaying the coin, you found yourselves outmaneuvered, compelled to confront your own deception. It was proclaimed to you at that moment, ‘Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's’ (Matthew 22:21), following your declaration that the coin displayed Caesar’s likeness. Just as Caesar desires his image to be represented on the coin, so too does God yearn to see His image reflected in humanity."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Herodians refer to either the soldiers loyal to Herod or individuals who believed Herod was the anticipated Messiah. When the ruler of Judah fell into poverty and Herod assumed the throne, some perceived him as the Messiah. It was with these individuals that the disciples of the Pharisees conspired to entrap Christ, initiating dialogue with Him. Seeking to flatter and disarm Him with commendation, they engaged in sycophantic conversation, hoping He would respond by saying, \\"It is not appropriate to pay taxes,\\" which could then be used as a basis to accuse Him of inciting rebellion against Caesar. Consequently, they brought along Herodians, who upheld the king's authority, claiming, \\"You shall not show partiality,\\" meaning He should not speak favorably to either Pilate or Herod. They pressed Him, asking whether it was permissible to subject ourselves to earthly rulers and pay them taxes, similar to how we render the didrachma to God, or if our obligations lie solely with God. Their intention was evident: if He replied that tribute should not be paid to Caesar, He would be captured and executed, branded as an ally of those like Judas and Theudas, who revolted against Caesar's decrees. However, Jesus, pointing to the image of Caesar on the coin, instructs them that what bears Caesar’s image must be rendered to him. This fundamentally conveys that in matters concerning our physical existence, we should comply with earthly authorities, while in spiritual matters, we must adhere to God. Another perspective is that we each owe something to the forces of evil, this Caesar of the underworld; for instance, when we feel anger—an emotion originating from the adversary—we ought to direct our wrath towards the true source of our discontent: the devil. By doing so, we will also rightfully dedicate God's due to Him, thus fulfilling His command. Additionally, we can comprehend our dual nature: as beings composed of both body and soul; we must appropriately provide for our physical needs like food and clothing, while also nourishing our soul with what is fitting for its exalted nature."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"When Jesus perceived their cunning, Mark referred to it as hypocrisy, while Luke described it as deceit. \\"Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?\\" Your question is a façade; you seek the truth only to ensnare Me. This reveals that they cannot conceal their intentions from Him, and He responds in a manner that demonstrates their hidden motives. Notice how He does this."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"However, JESUS, aware of their cunning, spoke with righteous anger, saying, “Why do you test me, how long will you continue to do so, you pretenders?” With this one scornful term, “pretenders,” the Lord immediately reveals their intentions, condemns their dishonesty, and puts an end to their arguments. Then, to have them declare their own verdict and acknowledge that they are obligated to render tribute to Caesar,"},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Jesus quickly made it apparent to them that their trickery and cunning were transparent to Him. Why do you test Me, you pretenders? - He asked."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"They held their breath in anticipation of a response, yet the words of Christ emerged, silencing their spiteful accusations. “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?” the Savior replied. “Show Me the coin used for the tax.” They presented a denarius, which bore the proud and striking features of Emperor Tiberius on one side, and his title, Pontific Maximus, on the other. “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” Christ inquired."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"Identifying their deceit\\": recognizing the slyness and malicious intentions behind their inquiry regarding the payment of taxes to Cæsar. \\"Why do you test Me?\\": why do you challenge Me in such a malign manner, attempting to entrap Me with a malicious question? \\"Bring Me the coin used for the tax\\": the Jews utilized Roman currency for state taxes, while for temple taxes, they employed their own local currency."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The heart of God clearly discerned the malevolent intentions of those who tempted Him, and as the Almighty, He could not be misled. The Lord exposed their hidden thoughts publicly, clarifying the reason for their approach, and from the outset, He confounded and silenced them. “Why do you test Me, pretenders?” He inquired, and instead of merely denouncing them, He sought to lead His questioners to their own answer, continuing: “Show Me a coin—bring Me a denarius.” They presented to Him a Roman coin, which bore the image of Caesar on one side along with the inscription."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The high priests and Pharisees, embarrassed in front of the crowd by the Lord’s teachings, sought to arrest Jesus Christ and trial Him; however, they feared the very people who supported Him, hoping to witness Him as their Messiah. Consequently, the adversaries of Christ aimed to entrap Him in His words before the multitude, intending to undermine their reverence for Him and find grounds to accuse Him as a criminal (Luke 20:26). They approached Him with a provocative inquiry, ‘Is it lawful for us (God's chosen people) to pay taxes to Cæsar or not?’ The challenge posed by this question was that if Jesus responded negatively, He would be seen as defying Roman authority; conversely, a positive response would alienate the people, who, misled by the Pharisees, believed they were bound to serve only the sovereign-God, considering such allegiance incompatible with subservience to a foreign, pagan ruler. Jesus’s response clarified that both obligations can coexist; it is right to render to the earthly authorities a portion of what is obtained under their governance, yet this does not absolve one from the imperative of adhering to God’s commandments."}]}
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